Airlines for America (A4A) Expands Communications Team to Support Airline Industry Goals

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today announced four additions to its existing communications team.

Vaughn Jennings, a long-time Capitol Hill aide, joins A4A as managing director for government and regulatory communications. Jennings will oversee communications efforts relative to government affairs in addition to regulatory and policy efforts. Previously, he served as press secretary, new media director, and legislative assistant for Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK) and worked closely with the Energy and Commerce Committee on issues ranging from health care to national energy policy. Prior to joining Rep. Sullivan's staff, Jennings worked as a legislative assistant to then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

A4A will be expanding its social media and online presence with the addition of two social media managers, Christian Lee and Tressa Mattingly, who will co-manage the effort to increase the visibility and influence of the airline industry through interaction with targeted media and consumer markets. Lee served as director of new media for Judicial Watch and the Meg Whitman for Governor Campaign and Mattingly comes to A4A from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital where she was a senior communications specialist, and prior to that was the communications officer at Georgetown University Hospital.

Lanie Lamb is A4A's new communications coordinator, responsible for day-to-day administration and operational support for the communications team. A former flight attendant for Continental Airlines, she also worked for the National Park Foundation and in the office of Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH).

Lee, Mattingly and Lamb will report to Victoria Day, managing director, corporate and member communications.

A4A President Nicholas E. Calio said the growing team will enable the association to better communicate the industry's improving performance and advocate for a National Airline Policy that would help reduce taxes, reform the industry's regulatory burden, stabilize energy prices, modernize the air traffic control system, and importantly enable U.S. airlines to compete globally.

"The airlines are a major force in the U.S. economy, helping create 10 million jobs and drive innovation in the areas of fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Our members are also working hard to provide consumers and shippers with the best possible flying experience through greater choices and consistently improving performance," Calio said. "Our expanded communications team will be critical to relaying those efforts and connecting the airlines with the customers and markets they serve."

ABOUT A4AAnnually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs.